1892 25C, DCAM PR65DCAM Certification #43038098, PCGS #95678

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Charles Morgan

The 1892 Barber Quarter Proof

Debuting in 1892, the Barber Quarter revitalized U.S. subsidiary silver coinage alongside its dime and half dollar counterparts. Designed by Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber, the obverse features a neoclassic right-facing Liberty head. Though often compared to George T. Morgan’s 1878 silver dollar, Barber’s design is thinner and set further back on the canvas, with a sharper jawline, pointier chin, contoured forehead, and more upright eye shape. 

In 1892, the Philadelphia Mint struck 8,236,000 business-strike quarters (#5601) and 1,245 Proofs (#5678) for collectors. Shortly after release, complaints arose that the coins did not stack properly, prompting a slight reverse redesign: 

  • Type I: The eagle’s wingtip rests between the "E" and "D" of UNITED, covering only the right serif of the "E". Only about 100 Proofs (~8%) were struck, making this variety rare in high grades. 
  • Type II: The wingtip was repositioned to cover over half of the "E" and its crossbar, fixing the stacking flaw.

While most 1892 Proofs feature fully brilliant surfaces, Cameo and Deep Cameo coins command strong market premiums. The pinnacle of the issue is a single PCGS PR69DCAM — the finest known example.

 

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PCGS #
95678
Designer
Charles E. Barber
Edge
Reeded
Diameter
24.30 millimeters
Weight
6.30 grams
Mintage
1245
Metal
90% Silver, 10% Copper
Pop Higher
28
Pop Lower
8
Region
The United States of America

Condition Census Learn More

Pos Grade Thumbnail Pedigree and History
1 PCGS PR69DCAM PCGS PR69DCAM

As NGC PF69UCAM #1634130-008. Heritage Auctions, July 31, 2008, Lot 1645 – $46,000. As PCGS PR69DCAM #44552616. Type II Reverse. Finest known.
2 PCGS PR68DCAM PCGS PR68DCAM

"Important Selections from the Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part IV," Heritage Auctions, February 23, 2021, Lot 3050 – $27,600. Type II Reverse.
2 PCGS PR68DCAM

Heritage Auctions, January 10, 2008, Lot 2792 – $20,700; Heritage Auctions, April 17, 2008, Lot 2287 – $27,600; "The Jim O'Neal Collection of U.S. Type, Part V," Heritage Auctions, January 4, 2018, Lot 4832 – $17,400. Type II Reverse.
2 PCGS PR68DCAM PCGS PR68DCAM

Dell Loy Hansen.
2 PCGS PR68DCAM PCGS PR68DCAM
PCGS PR69DCAM #1 PCGS PR69DCAM

As NGC PF69UCAM #1634130-008. Heritage Auctions, July 31, 2008, Lot 1645 – $46,000. As PCGS PR69DCAM #44552616. Type II Reverse. Finest known.
PCGS PR68DCAM #2 PCGS PR68DCAM

"Important Selections from the Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part IV," Heritage Auctions, February 23, 2021, Lot 3050 – $27,600. Type II Reverse.
#2 PCGS PR68DCAM

Heritage Auctions, January 10, 2008, Lot 2792 – $20,700; Heritage Auctions, April 17, 2008, Lot 2287 – $27,600; "The Jim O'Neal Collection of U.S. Type, Part V," Heritage Auctions, January 4, 2018, Lot 4832 – $17,400. Type II Reverse.
PCGS PR68DCAM #2 PCGS PR68DCAM

Dell Loy Hansen.
PCGS PR68DCAM #2 PCGS PR68DCAM